Anonymous text tips can now be sent to campus police

“The use of a cell phone allows our dispatchers to receive the information and immediately send it to the officers in the field. The capability of using it for any phone calls has been disabled,” said Lieutenant Carl Little, police officer supervisor.

To keep texts anonymous, the sender’s text is deleted from the cell phone after the dispatcher transcribes the message.

The Monday, Feb. 14, shooting at MTSU influenced the decision to provide students with this option. “APSU officers were on [the MTSU] campus during their shooting incident conducting training,” Lt. Little said.

“We observed several students providing information to the police by texting their observations to the dispatchers.”

The information students texted in provided the dispatchers with the suspect’s clothing and location which led to the suspect’s arrest.

Lt. Little finds the use of texting anonymous tips and photographs to police efficient for all intents and purposes. “Any means to contact the police with current and accurate information is helpful. There are people in our society who don’t want to be seen talking to the police,”

“It is impossible for police officers to be everywhere a crime is being committed.” Lt. Little said.

“We are constantly looking at using the advances in technology to provide better service to the campus community.” TAS